As with any industry or hobby, the drone world has a language of its own. And to be fully integrated, you will want to walk the walk and talk the talk. Below is a list of the most used drone lingo and abbreviations that you should show.

In the quest to increase safety for personnel on work sites, we have found that technology, especially drone technology, can play a vital role. Let us ask this… If there was a way to decrease the chance of work site injury by performing a specific task via drone, would you? For most companies and agencies, the answer comes quick – yes. Keep reading to discover how drones are helping eliminate injury and boosting workplace safety.

Even here, in the southern state of Texas, there is a chill in the air that alerts us – winter is coming. While you can still fly your drone when temperatures dip, it can be more challenging. There are several factors that need to be considered and several precautions that we recommend you take when flying your drone in colder weather.

Last week the Fortress UAV team attended one of the biggest DJI hosted events of the year, AirWorks 2018. The event was jam packed with an announcement-filled opening keynote, interesting panel discussions and thought-provoking workshops. With their biggest crowd yet, over 800 in attendance, 37 sponsors and 102 speakers, DJI kicked it off with a packed ballroom anxiously awaiting to hear this year’s big reveals. This is our recap of the three must-knows from the AirWorks keynote.

‘Repair’ and ‘maintenance’ are often used as interchangeable words – swapped out for one another. However, many times this leads to confusion as their definitions are quite different. Repair can be defined as the act of fixing or mending something. Maintenance can be defined as the process of maintaining or preserving something. Repair is reactive while maintenance is proactive. When used in terms of drone repair and drone maintenance, it is imperative to use responsibly and understand the key differences.

Consumer drones make up 94% of total unit sales while commercial drones represent the other 6%. However, because they are more expensive, commercial drones make up 60% of the industry's revenue. But regardless of the type of drone you use, one thing is for sure: keeping your drone's battery charged and well-preserved can help you make the very most of its functionality. If you're having trouble preserving your drone's battery life or using it efficiently, we're here to help. Here are just a few smart ways to conserve and optimize your drone's battery life.

According to Gartner, in 2016, around 110,000 drones were sold for commercial use. In 2017, that figure is expected to rise to 174,000, and the number of consumer drones is projected to rise to 2.8 million. But whether your drone is used for recreational or commercial applications, it's important to recognize some common signs that may mean that it needs to be repaired. A drone that's working improperly can cause trouble for businesses that rely on drone technology for a number of purposes. Here are some common signs that mean your drone may soon need to be repaired.

Drones are becoming a major part of society. From hobby drones to military devices to delivery services, more and more drones are being used today. In fact, between 2014 and 2015, drone sales increased 63% and have only continued to rise. But like all forms of technology, drones aren't flawless. And if you're a drone owner, it's important to be aware of possible issues you may come across. So let's explore a few common drone problems and how to fix them.

When it comes to buying drones, there are a lot of important factors to consider. Not only do you need to think about aspects like price range, quality, and capabilities of the drone, but you need to consider what kind of features the drone is equipped with as well. So let's take a look at a few drone features to think about when you're buying a new drone.

Drone flying is rapidly growing both for recreation and commercial use. However, federal regulations can make it hard to find the right place to fly your UAV. Here are a few tips to give you the best flying experience without breaking the law.

Fortress UAV Protect will provide customers with a per drone maintenance schedule that includes an industry standard maintenance checklist plus check points specific to the particular drone model being serviced.

“At Fortress UAV, we are always in pursuit of new and innovative services that provide our customers with the support they need and the peace of mind they deserve,” said Brendon Mills, CEO of Fortress UAV.

With the preventative maintenance program, customers will help mitigate and reduce the risk of accidents and/or crashes, lessen costs by maximizing the lifespan of their drone assets, reduce the risk of liability should an accident and/or crash occur, ensure drones are flight-ready and have maximum uptime, and get a step ahead of any FAA mandated UAS maintenance reporting regulations.

Fortress UAV will provide an easily accessible, full-detailed report of all maintenance checks performed plus any additional comments or findings. These reports can be compiled to present a clear and concise drone maintenance log for each drone being covered.

“Fortress UAV provides top-notch drone repair services and has unbeatable customer service. By adding preventative maintenance to our contract services, we no longer worry about our drones being flight-ready. Their team performs all the checks necessary to confirm the airworthiness of our drones, providing us peace of mind. We can focus on what matters most - providing our services to the community,” stated Barry Moore, Mansfield, TX Police UAS Pilot.

Fortress UAV is establishing itself as a leader in drone maintenance regulatory reporting needs. Although there are not currently FAA mandated regulations surrounding the prescriptive maintenance of drones, it seems it is only time before they are established. Fortress UAV Protect customers will be a step ahead in not only acquiring the regulated maintenance but also in providing the necessary reporting to the FAA. For full FAA UAS regulations and policies, please visit here.

“The need for drone maintenance reporting is inevitable. Receiving and creating a log of all maintenance performed on your assets will only put your business ahead of the curve once the FAA maintenance mandates arrive,” said Garret Bryl, Principal Aerospace Software Engineer and UAS pilot for the Public Safety UAS Response Team.

Sample core maintenance check points include: Visual inspection of all moving parts for wear/tear and water damage, inspection of all wiring, cleaning of any dirt and/or debris, running key performance tests on batteries, upgrades to software, key calibrations, and the visual inspection and balancing of propellers and replacement of some components by drone type.

It is important to note that this is not a warranty or repair program. This program is intended for preventative uses only – identification of potential risk factors before an accident occurs.

This new service is in addition to the already existing, successful national drone repair business model that was launched in 2017. Fortress UAV is proud to be a leader in providing UAS maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

If you're looking into buying a drone, you're not alone. Drone sales have increased rapidly over the years, with sales increasing by 63% between 2014 and 2015 alone. But if you're buying your first drone, you may not know where to start. So let's take a look at a few simple steps to take to ensure you buy the best drone for your needs.

In 2015 alone, there were about 400,000 drones that were purchased as Christmas gifts. Since then, the number of drones being bought only continues to increase. Today's drone technology offers drone owners endless possibilities when it comes to using their drones. So why exactly do people buy drones? Let's take a look at a few common reasons people keep buying drones.

This past June Robert Kidd, our Vice President of Sales, got to sit down with CyPhy Works CEO, Lance Vanden Brook and discuss how CyPhy is bringing new and innovative ideas and solutions to the drone industry via tethered drones and PARC. Below are some of the highlights from their discussion.

Due to the increasing popularity of drones over the past few years, there are several types, sizes, and models of drones for consumers to buy today. So if you're looking to buy a drone, you may not know where to start. Well to help you out, let's take a look at a few questions you can ask yourself to find the right drone for your needs.

With the FAA predicting there will be seven million drones being used throughout the U.S. before 2020, there's a good chance you'll end up owning a drone. Flying a drone is a great hobby and can be a lot of fun. But if you don't take care of your drone, you may end up having to retire it much sooner than expected. So let's take a look at a few tips to help you properly care for your drone.

With 770,000 drones already registered with the FAA, there's a good chance you have one or are going to get one soon. Drone flying is a great hobby and can be a lot of fun. This is especially true when drones are used for things like photography or videography. But what happens when something goes wrong and your drone is damaged? Or worse, your drone causes property damage? Let's take a look at the importance of having drone insurance.

Over the past few years, drones have become one of the most popular hobbyist devices. With the drone industry now being worth $3.3 billion, it's no surprise that people are continuously innovating with drone technology, producing bigger and better drones. But if you're thinking about getting a drone, you should know how these devices work. So let's explore a few of the most important components of drones.